Your Complete Guide to Utilities in Slateford
If you've moved and have questions about Slateford? Our utilities guide to Slateford will explain in detail everything about broadband, area codes, power generation and energy distributors, and Slateford water and sewerage. Keep reading to learn everything about utilities in Slateford.
About Slateford, Edinburgh
Slateford EH14 has a population of 5,229 and is located in the county of Edinburgh. Edinburgh has a population of 524,930 people.
Who supplies my water in Slateford?
Slateford water services are supplied by Scottish Water. Below are the main phone numbers for Scottish Water:
How to reach your water provider in Slateford
Speaking to an advisor at Scottish Water is just one method of contact to deal with your Slateford water problems.
In the table below we have listed the main telephone numbers for Scottish Water general enquiries and emergencies.
Scottish Water telephone number | Scottish Water Emergency telephone number |
---|---|
0800 077 8778 | 0800 077 8778 |
24/7/365 |


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Write to Scottish Water
You can also write to Scottish Water, you have the choice of posting a letter or sending an email. You can also send your request via the Scottish Water website.
If you prefer to write a letter to Scottish Water can do so by writing to the Scottish Water address below:
Scottish Water Address | |
---|---|
Head Office, Castle House, 6 Castle Drive Dunfermline KY11 8GG |
Customers that would rather email Scottish Water, you should use the following email address:
Scottish Water Email Address |
---|
help@scottishwater.co.uk |
Price of water in Slateford

Water rates in Slateford depend on whether your home has a water meter or not. It's easy to find out if your Slateford water rates are metered or not by looking at a recent water bill or by getting in touch with the supplier. Homes with metered Slateford water rates will have a meter number listed on their water bills.
Metered Customers in Slateford
Customers with a water meter at their Slateford property will pay an annual charge that is fixed, plus an extra charge for each cubic meter (m3) consumed. The fixed charge is to cover the essential running costs of Scottish Water. While the variable charges cover the usage at your Slateford home.
Unmetered Customers in Slateford
Customers without a meter at their Slateford home pay an annual charge for their water usage. This charge is fixed, meaning you'll pay the same regardless of how much water consumed at your Slateford home.
Water rates for unmetered customers in Slateford is based on the rateable value of your home. The rateable value part of your Slateford water prices were determined by the local council in the 90s and is likely that they have not changed since then.
Should I get a water meter installed?
You need to consider how much water you consume per year. If you have a small family, or live alone, getting a water meter for your Slateford may save you money.
Customers with big families are probably not going to save money by getting a water meter installed.
How do I pay my Slateford water bill?
First, you must sign up and register with Scottish Water. After you register your details with Scottish Water, you will be able to choose your preferred payment method, such as:
- Direct Debit
- Online payments
- Pay over the phone
- Bank transfer
- Payment by cheque
- Payment card
You may be able to choose how often you pay your Slateford bill. Whilst some customers would prefer to pay annually, other customers might want to settle for quarterly, monthly, or even weekly payments instead. After you've set up your Scottish Water account, you will be able to choose how you pay your water bill, and how often you need to pay it.
Can I switch the water supplier in Slateford?
Unfortunately, your water supplier is fixed and depends on the catchment area based on your postcode. As a customer in Slateford EH14, your water supplier is Scottish Water.
Since April 2017, business water customers have been able to switch water suppliers. You can find out if your business is eligible in our guide to switching water suppliers.
Slateford Water Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some common questions that customers in Slateford have about their water supply.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water in Slateford
Is water from the tap in Slateford safe to drink?
Yes! You can drink the tap water in Slateford. You can rest assured that Slateford water meets high standards making it safe to drink. The UK Drinking Water Inspectorate has rated Slateford water quality 99.94% in overall mean zonal compliance, that means your tap water is safe to drink. It is not required to boil or filter Slateford water to make it drinkable.
Where does the water in Slateford come from?
There are three main sources of water that supply Slateford:
- Surface sources - 93%
- Groundwater sources - 6%
- Mixed sources - 1%
Is the water hard in Slateford
While rainwater itself is relatively soft, water hardness can change through the water cycle. As rainwater filters through rocks, it picks up minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. The more minerals the water picks up, the harder is your water considered.
The water hardness rating in Slateford is less than 60ppm, this means the water in in Slateford is rated as soft water.
What does this mean?
The water supply to your home in Slateford contains a minimal level of hard water minerals. soft water will give your clothes a softer feel, and your appliances will be more efficient which is good news for your wallet. There should also be less limescale in your appliances meaning they should not break down as often.
Selectra recommends
You don't need to add a water softener to the water in Slateford.
Slateford No Water
If there isn't any running water in your Slateford home, you need to find out if the issue is to do with your home plumbing or if the issue is within your neighbourhood in Slateford.
If there is no water at your Slateford home, is it only affecting cold water or hot water? If you don't have hot water but have cold water, the issue will be with your home plumbing and not a problem affecting Slateford.
If your home has no cold water, not even a trickle, contact Scottish Water for assistance. If this is the case, you can try these tips:
- Check for updates on the "In Your Area" sections of the Scottish Water website for any explanations as to why you have no water.
- Check the Twitter account of Scottish Water, quite often you will find they have posted an update about the issue.
- Ask your neighbours whether they have the same issue as you.
- Make sure your stop tap is in the open position.
Slateford water leak or flooding
Slateford water problems could be anything from a burst water main or flooding, to a leak in your Slateford home. This is why you should make sure you know what to do and who to contact regarding water emergencies.
If you discover flooding or a water leak outside your Slateford property, you need to do one of the following as quickly as you can:
- Contact Scottish Water whether the problem is with clean water or wastewater.
- If you can go on the internet at your current location, navigate to the "report a leak" area of the Scottish Water website and complete the online form to report the issue.
Why does the water in Slateford taste strange?
If you detect a difference in smell or taste of your Slateford water this could be because of one of the following reasons:
- Chlorination is a safe way to ensure hygiene throughout the pipe network.
- Seasonal changes can impermeate the Slateford water with an earthy taste or smell.
- Plumbing can be a contributing factor to the taste of your water, adding salty, metallic, or rubbery hints to Slateford water.
If you are unsure about your water's appearance, smell, or taste, you should not hesitate to reach Scottish Water via the contact channels listed above.
Broadband in Slateford EH14

The speed of your internet connection at your Slateford home can vary depending on several factors such as:
- The type of connection (ADSL, Fibre, or Cable)
- Distance from the telephone exchange
- Where you've placed your router
- If you're using wi-fi or ethernet
- Your broadband provider
Test your internet speed and see how it compares to the average internet speed in Slateford with our fast and simple speed test.
Did you know that the average download speed in the UK is around 62.5Mbps?
Slateford Average Download Speed | Slateford Average Upload Speed |
---|---|
118.90 Mbps | 22.30 Mbps |


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The type of internet connection you have can affect your download and upload speed in Slateford. An FTTP is currently the fastest broadband connection you can get in the UK however, at the time of writing, this is only available to 31.83% of UK households.
ADSL internet connections are the slowest, in parts of the UK that are more remote this type of connection is the only one available.
What should you consider when picking a broadband provider in Slateford?
In 2022, the internet is about as important as any other utility, perhaps more important. Which means picking a reliable provider for your internet could feel daunting. Don't worry, we've covered four main points worth considering before picking a broadband provider in Slateford.
Availability
The first thing to consider before picking a broadband provider in Slateford is the availability. The majority of homes in Slateford can take advantage of superfast' or fibre connections, people outside a built-up area could face issues getting access to the fastest internet.
Although, homes that have been built in the last few years should be able to enjoy access to the FTTH as developers often tend to install the latest technology during construction.
Type of connection
What kinds of internet connection are available in Slateford?
- Fibre broadband
- This is fastest connection that's currently available in Slateford
- There are two categories of fibre broadband connections, they are called 'Superfast' and 'Full Fibre'
- Superfast broadband has a download speed that's at least 24 Mbps.
- A Full Fibre broadband connection can currently reach speeds from 300 Mbps up to 1 Gbps.
- ADSL or ADSL2
- An older type of connection that is delivered through a standard telephone line.
- Limited download speed of up to 24 Mbps.
- Available to the majority of Slateford homes.
- Cable
- A similar or even faster download speed than fibre broadband.
- Available only via Virgin Media.
- Availability can be limited in some parts of Slateford.
- 4G/5G, Mobile, and Satellite Broadband
- The speed will depend on strength of the mobile signal in Slateford.
- Can be more expensive for heavy users without unlimited data.
- Can tether to your smartphone without special equipment, however there are some mobile networks that restrict tethered connections.


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Slateford broadband cost

You should also think about how much it costs for the broadband in Slateford. There are many providers offering a cheap introductory offer for new customers, however you might find the rate suddenly goes up. It's important to read the terms and conditions of the deal when you sign up for a internet connection in Slateford. There are some providers that will increase the price you pay during the initial contract period. In the news recently, there was a BT price hike that has affected millions of customers.
Slateford Broadband Reliability
How reliable the broadband is in Slateford should also be considered, with many people working from home on a part-time or full-time basis, having a reliable internet connection to keep up to date with work your work is a priority.
The times when we're not working we're playing online games with friends or streaming movies and TV shows meaning without an internet connection that's reliable at your Slateford home will be an important thing to consider.
Slateford broadband customer service
Our final tip, the technical support for your Slateford internet connection is really important. There's a good chance you will never need to contact your broadband provider, however, if you have an issue and need to get in touch with them then having solid customer service that deals with your query in a fast and efficient manner is definitely something worth considering when you choose a broadband provider in Slateford.
[YAML_telecoms_alldeals_intext_cta1]Broadband FAQ
In the FAQ below, we've answered the frequently asked questions that customers in Slateford ask about their broadband.
Broadband Internet FAQs
Is the internet fast in Slateford?
The average speed of broadband in Slateford is:
Slateford Average Download Speed | Slateford Average Upload Speed |
---|---|
118.90 Mbps | 22.30 Mbps |
What do ADSL, Superfast, FTTC, FTTH, and FTTP actually mean?
In simple terms, these are the different kinds of internet connection.
- ADSL: Asymmetric digital subscriber line - this type of connection has speeds up to 24 Mbps. However, the speed will be slower the further away you are from the telephone exchange.
- Superfast: This type of fibre broadband has a download speed of at least 30 Mbps.
- FTTC: Fibre To The Cabinet - this is a fibre connection that is delivered to one of those green boxes on your street in Slateford, from which it is connected to your property via your standard telephone line.
- FTTP/FTTH: Fibre To The Premises/Home - The connection is delivered using 100% fibre cables to your Slateford house. This means it's very fast and extremely reliable. At the time of writing, 31.83% of houses in the UK .
What broadband speed do I need?
That will be dependant on what you will be using the internet for. Take a look at this table for a general idea what sort of download speed you should pick when getting connected in Slateford.
Main internet uses | Recommended Broadband Speed | Up to 2 devices |
---|---|---|
Up to 2 devices | Web, email, working from home (WFH), light streaming, social media, etc | 10-25 Mbps Broadband |
3-5 devices | AAll the above and 4K streaming or online gaming | 50-100 Mbps Broadband |
More than 5 devices | All the above and large file transfers or streaming your own video content on the web | 100+ Mbps Broadband |
What's the difference between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi?
2.4ghz and 5ghz are the kinds of radio frequencies that internet routers use to transmit data to connected devices. 2.4Ghz WiFi signals travel further, but does so at slower speeds. 5Ghz WiFi signals have less range, but will transmit the data between devices at faster rates.
What's the telephone area code for Slateford

The landline area code, sometimes called the dialling code, for Slateford is 01806. If you're calling somebody in Slateford, and you are not in the same area, you should add 01806 to the number you'd like to call.
How much does an 01806 Slateford call cost?
If you have calls included with your landline or mobile, then the call cost should be included in that tariff. If you don't have an included calls tariff, you can expect to pay around 10p per minute, plus a small call set-up charge.
If you are unsure whether you have a plan that includes calls, please check with your provider before making the call to avoid unexpected charges on your bill.
How many dialling codes does the UK have? There are 645 area codes in the UK incl. Northern Ireland. They are a mix of three, four, or five digits long.
Gas and Electricity in Slateford
People living in Slateford are able to choose their gas and electricity supplier, but whichever supplier they are with, the electricity and gas is supplied and maintained by the local network operator.
We call them Distribution Network operators (DNOs) and these are the companies that own and operates the infrastructure that connect your Slateford home to the gas and electricity networks.
Most of the time you won't need to speak to the Slateford distribution network operator, but should the need arise, you can easily find out which DNO is responsible for Slateford right here.
You can also read more about what a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) does in our Distribution Network Operator guide
Electricity Distribution Network Operator in Slateford
The electricity distribution network operator for Slateford is SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland. You can find the SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland contact details in the table below:
SP Energy Networks - Central & Southern Scotland Contact Information | |
---|---|
General Enquiries | 0330 101 0444 |
Emergencies | 0800 092 9290 |
customercare@spenergynetworks.com | |
Website | https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/ |
Address | Customer Contact Team, SP Energy Networks, 320 St Vincent St Glasgow |
The UK has six electricity distribution network operators:
- Electricity North West
- Northern Powergrid
- SSE Networks
- SP Energy Networks
- UK Power Networks
- Western Power Distribution


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Power Generation near Slateford
There are no power plants within a 10 mile radius of Slateford.
Fossil Fuels
In 2021, 47.4% of the UK’s total electricity production was by burning fossil fuels. This was mostly in the form of natural gas (42%) and coal (2.7%). Additionally, a small percentage was produced from other types of fossil fuels (2.7%). The electricity produced from fossil fuels does change each year.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power accounted for 16.1% of electricity generation in 2021, and in the coming years this is expected to reduce as the UK’s nuclear power stations begin to close, only one will still be generating energy 2035. However, new nuclear reactors are being planned such as Hinkley Point C which is currently being built.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy accounted for 40.3% of electricity in 2021, that's up from 29% in 2018. Renewable fuel sources include wind, solar, hydro, and biomass. We can expect to see this continue increasing as the UK strives to hit its net-zero targets.
Municipalities Near Slateford
If you've ever wondered which municipalities are close to Slateford, in the table below you can see the five nearest towns and cities to Slateford.
Municipality | Distance from Slateford |
---|---|
Balerno | 0.01 miles |
Currie | 0.01 miles |
Juniper Green | 0.01 miles |
Wester Hailes | 0.01 miles |
Gorgie | 0.95 miles |